WARRIOR OF LIBERATION

"The chains that hurt worst aren't forged.

They're remembered."

— Soulflame Fragment, Mourner Class

📍 Location: Sector D – Old Forge Watchpoint, Dusk

The sky was bruised purple.

Sei stood on the old forge wall, staring down at the horizon, where smoke curled from distant zones — some burning in rebellion, others in silence.

His flame hovered beside him. Quiet. Pensive.

"Your soul's lighter," it whispered.

"You broke the mirror."

Sei nodded once.

"Then why do I feel heavier?"

Suddenly—

A signal flared.

Not a system ping.

Not a fire alarm.

A whisper.

In a voice he recognized.

"Sei… help me…"

He froze.

Because that voice?

Was Talis.

His first squadmate.

His first friend in the war.

His first failure.

ALERT: ENTITY DETECTED – UNKNOWN SIGNATURE

Soul Match: 86%

Name: TALIS

Status: Deceased (Verified: Volume 1, Chapter 5)

Classification: Echo Revenant (Pure Memory Type)

Threat: Emotional Core Vulnerability Risk

📍 Location: Embergrave — Site of the 1st Rebellion Collapse

Sei arrived at the crater.

Ash still fell.

And there, standing in the ruins, barefoot and burning slowly—

Was Talis.

Same soft eyes.

Same crooked grin.

But no breath.

No soul signature.

Just flame and regret.

"Hey, Captain."

Sei didn't move.

"…You're not real."

Talis tilted his head.

"I bled for you."

"I died for you."

"And you walked away."

Mina stepped forward — but Sei raised his hand.

"No. This one's mine."

WARNING: Emotional Lock Triggered – Guilt Memory Surge Inbound

You must confront, absorb, or be overtaken by the Echo.

Talis raised a hand.

The flame around him shifted — into memories.

Sei saw:

The training days.

The first time Talis saved him from a spear trap.

The moment Sei left him behind in the burning barracks.

"I never blamed you," Talis said softly.

"But I never let go."

Suddenly—Talis attacked.

Not with a blade.

But with truth.

His hand touched Sei's chest—

And Sei saw himself again.

Running.

Choosing the mission.

Leaving Talis to die.

His knees buckled.

Flame flickered.

The Echoform screamed.

"If you don't forgive yourself now, you never will."

System Prompt: Soul Resolution Event Triggered

To survive, declare truth. Bind your flame to it. Or break.

Sei's hands trembled.

He looked up.

Straight into Talis's burning eyes.

And said:

"I left you."

"And I hated myself every step since."

"But I didn't forget you."

"I built everything I am… to make sure no one else ends like you."

The flame shivered.

Talis stepped forward—

And smiled.

Soft. Forgiving.

"Then I'm free."

🔥 ECHO REVENANT CLEANSED: TALIS LIBERATED 🔥

Soul integrated: Fragment of Talis's Will added to your flame.

New Skill Gained: Ember Echo – Once per battle, summon a soulshade of a fallen ally to shield you or another.

Trait Gained: Forgiven Flame – Your guilt cannot be weaponized. All future "Regret" class attacks nullified.

The crater wind shifted.

Talis's flame faded into a warm gust.

But his voice lingered.

"Captain…"

"Live well. That's all I wanted."

Sei fell to one knee.

Not from pain.

From relief.

Above, Kaios watched through smoke-glass.

And frowned.

"Shame. I was hoping regret would finish him."

He turned to a dark cell.

Inside, something ancient stirred.

A voice said:

"You tried sorrow."

"Try anger."

TO BE CONTINUED…

🔥 Chapter 28 Tease: Wrath of the First Flame

Kaios awakens a piece of the original Flame — not a god, not a rebel, but the very first soul ever chained.

And it's angry.

Even Sei's belief may not be enough.

Because this fire doesn't want freedom.

It wants revenge.